Han Says "I Am Also from Honam"... May 18 Cemetery Visit Thwarted (Comprehensive)

Left the Cemetery After Only 22 Minutes Due to Opposition from Gwangju Civic Groups
Appealed Near the Gate of Democracy: "Let Us Love Each Other"

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the local civic group 'Gwangju Emergency Action for Internal Purge and Social Reform,' composed of regional citizen organizations, held a press conference at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, to block former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo's visit. Photo by Min Chanki

On May 2, when former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo announced his candidacy for the presidential election, he attempted to pay his respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, but the attempt was thwarted due to opposition from Gwangju civic groups.

At around 5:38 p.m. that day, Han arrived at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, but left the site after just 22 minutes amid fierce protests from citizens.

Earlier, the 'Gwangju Emergency Action for Internal Purge and Social Reform,' a coalition of local civic groups, and the 'May Spirit Protection Pan-Provincial Citizens' Countermeasures Committee' held a press conference at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju to block Han's visit.

Gwangju Emergency Action stated, "Former Prime Minister Han, who participated in the rebellion, is boasting that he will deliver a message about 'reaffirming the value of democracy, inheriting the democratic spirit, and national unity.' However, he is the person who violated the Constitution in order to prevent the removal of the ringleader of the rebellion."

The group further emphasized, "His act of running for president is only intended to return power to the forces behind the rebellion," and added, "We reject Han's attempt to politically exploit May 18 through his visit to the cemetery."

During the press conference, there were also heated arguments and physical altercations between Gwangju civic groups and Han's supporters near the cemetery.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo was prevented from visiting the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju by a civic group from Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

After Han arrived, the Emergency Action group blocked his visit by chanting, "Step down, main culprit of the rebellion," and "Han Ducksoo, step down."

Stopped in front of the Gate of Democracy, Han appealed, saying, "I am also from Honam," and "Everyone should love each other. We should not hate," before leaving the cemetery.

That morning, the May Spirit Protection Pan-Provincial Citizens' Countermeasures Committee also issued a statement strongly opposing Han's visit to the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery.

The organization criticized, "Former Prime Minister Han participated in the Cabinet meeting on the day of the December 3 Martial Law Declaration, and he is still responsible for crimes related to the rebellion. For someone responsible for illegal martial law to visit the victims of May 18 without apology or reflection is an act that damages the spirit of May and deceives the citizens of Gwangju."

The group continued, "As acting president, Han undermined the rule of law by exercising veto powers. The shadow of the rebellion still lingers unresolved, leaving instability in our society," and pointed out, "Nevertheless, he continues to shift the blame for 'economic and security crises' and 'the collapse of cooperative politics due to extreme partisanship' onto others."